Bulletin

I know it may seem like we are a bit late to the party, considering Valentine’s Day was yesterday but that doesn’t mean to say that there isn’t still some love in the air in London. In fact, giant heart-shaped balloons are going to be showcased throughout London at some of the city’s most renowned landmarks and destinations until 20th February. British Fashion Designer, Anya Hindmarch, is the brains behind this romantic affair, otherwise known as a love letter to London.

The giant floating love hearts coincide with Hindmarch’s decision not to make an appearance with her new collection at this year’s London Fashion Week. Rather than participating in one of the year’s biggest events in fashion, Hindmarch expressed that she would much rather concentrate on ‘consumer happening’ events which would encourage and create more potential clientele. The Designer says: ‘Tying giant helium-filled chubby hearts onto buildings all over the city is simply a surprise love letter to London as a tribute to its strength and to celebrate our amazing city.'

Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London, is excited for what the love letter to London will bring and how it will spread positivity across the capital: ‘As London Fashion Week showcases the capital to the world, these huge heart balloons animating our great spaces and architecture will show once again that London is open to talent and creativity and gives it a warm welcome.’ You will see these enormous, blow-up symbols of love appearing in famous locations, including Covent Garden, The Ritz London and Somerset House.

It’s a momentous occasion for Mexican Architect, Frida Escobedo, as she has been selected to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2018 and has officially been named as the youngest ever architect to have accepted this opportunity. Not only that, she is the first woman since the renowned Zaha Hadid to take on this task.

It has been almost two decades since the launch of the Serpentine Pavilion Commission and in the meantime the likes of Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind, among many others, have created designs for this cultural space. Architecture legends David Adjaye and Richard Rogers were amongst the creative panel when it came to selecting the architect for the job.

Escobedo will be putting her own twist on things as she is proposing enclosed courtyards, which is a typical feature of lots of Mexican architecture. The ‘starchitect’ says: ‘My design for the Serpentine Pavilion 2018 is a meeting of material and historical inspirations inseparable from the City of London itself which has been central to our practice from the beginning.’

CEO of Serpentine Galleries, Yana Peel, has sung this female architect’s praises and has stated: ‘Escobedo has hit the nail on the head, it promises to be a place of both deep reflection and dynamic encounter…it will bring the urgency of art and architecture to the widest audience.’

We are ending this week's Bulletin entry on a short, sweet and sweaty note, because we have signed up for the Hackney Half Marathon on 20th May!

Now it has been written here and it is all out in the open, there is no going back...gulp.

Even though it might seem a little daunting, May weather in London can be surprisingly pleasant and sunshine coupled with running around quaint East London parks actually sounds rather enjoyable!

So, do you care to dust off your running shoes and take on the challenge too? Go on, we dare you!